Totally disagree Spelly. We need to identify and develop the strengths of British game and beat the Aussies at our gane. If we continually just try copy the Aussie game, the chances are we will always be a step (or two) behind. Anyway, why are we so focused on the Aussies and importing expensive players – with few exceptions – who have played their best years in NRL. The game should look to bringing through the best British prospects to develop in the British game, perhaps with a centrally funded international elite squad to help clubs retain these players in the UK club game. Until RFL/SL decide the future of the game – is it the NA expansion or is there to be a vision to develop and promote the game in Britain/Europe, based on two competitive leagues and avoiding the current wide disparity in the funding of the game between the SL and lower levels. It will need some clubs to face up to financial reality. If they are not able to effectively promote and develop their club at local level through increased support and sponsorship, then they need to seriously consider whether the club will ever be sustainable. It is about time the RFL/SL put forward a definite long term vision for the game. Long suffering fans of the local community clubs, who will have no place in a small elite international league, can then decide whether it is a game worth supporting. Sadly, at the moment, I cannot see any future for RL in the UK and, if by the remote possibility the NA expansion takes off, it will quickly be taken over by the North American teams and UK will become the back water of the game.
Importing over the hill Aussies is not the answer, I totally agree. How many UK based players have been chosen to play for the national side? I can't think of one (but stand to be corrected) coz they're not / no longer good enough to do so.
Should the international ban be re-imposed? I don't think that's the solution either, as Canberra in particular have been blessed with some gifted Poms over the last few years, but.........
You mention having a long term plan, but, have we enough talent (current and potential) over here to threaten the Green and Gold Machine in the foreseeable? I don't think we have, I regret to say!
I say again that (in my opinion) Origin is one of the main reasons we come up short, coz mid-season there, sees a trio of hate v mate encounters, where the passion is off the scale, whilst we've got either nowt, or a mis-match avec nos amis de France.
Another downer is the continuance of the dearth of quality halves here, but how long have we been saying that?
I wish I knew the answer (if I did, I'd prob be in Wane's shoes) but meantime, I still reckon there's plenty we can learn from our Antipodean cousins.
We'll have to agree to disagree mate, but that's what life's about isn't it? But...........
I'm sure we share the long burning hope / vision / dream, that one day, we'll get one over big style on the Green and Gold Machine!
Spelly.